Controlling-switch system.



PATENTBD MAR. 31, 1903.

A. L. DE LBEUW. I CONTROLLING SWITCH SYSTEM.

APPLIQATION FILED 0OT.13, 1902.

3 -SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I0 MODEL.

ad Us Igventpr (r7 Attorney Witnesses:

No, 723,840. PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903. A. L. DB LBEUW.

CONTROLLING SWITCH SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DOT. 1a, 1902.

no noun. a sums-sun I Witnesses: Inventor wougm/ W. s; Pulauw. w Attorney No. 723,840. PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

A. L. DE LEE-UW. CONTROLLING SWITCH SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 13, 1902. NO MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH L. DE LEEUW, OF HAMILTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE NILES TOOL IVORKS COMPANY, OF HAMILTON, OI-IIO..

CONTROLLING-SWITCH SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,840, dated March 31, 1903.

I Application filed October 13, 1902. $eria1No.l27,009. (No model.)

To all whom zit may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLPH L. DE LEEUW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in OontrollingSwitch Systems, of which the following is aspecification.

In certain'classes of machinery employing electromagnetic clutches, and especially in cases where a pair of the clutches is employed for purposes of-reversal of direction of motion, serious difficulties arise from the indisposition of the clutches to release promptly when the energizing-current is out OK, or, in other words, from the time lag of demagnetization. In metal-planing machines, for instance, Where the actuating motion is transmitted through the medium of alternatelyacting electromagnetic clutches, the time lag of demagnetization of the clutches is often so great as to prevent the possibility of reversal within short lengths of table travel or of uniformity of reversals regardless of the length of travel. In such machines the reversing-tumbler, actuated automatically by the table-dogs, puts the current first to one clutch and then to the other, the circuit being open for the idle clutch. In my improved system I follow out the plan just mentioned; but just before opening the circuit to cause the deenergization of a given clutch I'reverse the polarity of the current going to that clutch for a period sufficient to demagnetize the.

clutch, but not sufficient to remagnetize it by the influence of the reversed current.

My invention will be readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which-- Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating my improved system; Fig. 2, a partial side elevation of a metal-planing machine provided with my controlling-switch system; Fig. 3, a front elevation of an exemplifying switch embodying my invention and adapted for use in connection with a metal-planing machine; Fig. 4, a vertical transverse section of the same; and Fig; 5, a front elevation part vertical longitudinal section of the supplemental switch disposed behind the slab carrying the main switch on its face.

In the drawings, and giving present con sideration to Fig. 1 exclusively, 1 indicates an electromagnetic clutch of any ordinary or approved type; 2,a second similar clutch to act.

in alternation with the first clutch; 3, the controlling-switch lever, turning on an axis and shown in Fig. 1 as at its neutral position,

this switch-lever being assumed as arranged to be automatically turned in arcs at one or the other side of the neutral, according to which of the clutches is to be energized; 4, a contact-circle concentric with the axis of the switch-lever3; 5, a second contact-circle; 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, 12, andil3, contact-segments, arranged in four pairs concentric with the axis of the switch-lever; 14, a brush carried by but insulated from the switch-lever and engaging contact-circle 4; 15, asimilar brush for contact-circle 5; 16, a similar brush for the inner circle of contact-segments; 17, a similar brush for the outer circle of contact-segments; 18, a solenoid; 19, its reciprocating core; 20 and 21, a similar solenoid and core; 22, a supplemental switch-lever;

23, a link connecting the supplementalswitclr lever with both of the solenoid-cores; 24 and 25, a pair of contact-plates; 26 and 27, a second pair of contact-plates; 28, a brush carriedrby supplemental lever 22 and adapted 1 when the lever is swung to the right to bridge to 50, inclusive, circuit connections of a character obvious from an inspection of the dia-' gram. 7

Fig. 1 illustrates switch-lever 3 in neutral position, under which condition the supplycircuit is opened at brushes 1.6 and 17 and current goes to neither clutch. Assume thatleft-hand clutch 1 is to be brought into action. Lever 3 is moved to the left, bringing brushes 16 and 17 to segments 9 and 8, respectively. This, however, does not close the supply-circuit, for the circuit from segment 8 is open at contact-plate 26. The further movement of switch-lever 3 brings brushes 16 and 17 to segments 7 and 6, respectively, t-hus closing the supply-circuit through connections 33 34 35 36 and clutch 1, whereby that clutch becomes energized and engages and proceeds with the performance of its work upon the machine in connection with which it may be employed. Current thus put to this clutch is also shunted, through connections 37 and 38, to solenoid 18, energizing that solenoid and drawing its core 19 inwardly and swinging supplemental lever 22 to the left, thus bridg-, ing between contact-plates 26 and 27 and causing, through connections 39 and 40, the contact-segments 8 and 9 to become the open terminals of a circuit. Now when clutch 1 is to be denergized and released switch-lever 3 is moved again to the neutral position, thus opening the supply-circuit and cutting off current from the clutch; but as the switchlever moves from segments 6 and 7 to segments 8 and 9 it results in the opening of the circuit through connections 33 and 34,through which the clutch was previously energized, and reestablishes connection with the clutch through connections 39 and 40 and 41, which, it will be observed, reverses the direction of How of current to the clutch. This temporary reversal of current quickly breaks down the previously-existing magnetic condition of the clutch, but tends to renergize the clutch under reversed condition of current, which reenergization, however, will not take place, owing to the brushes 16 and 17 quickly passing from the demagnetizing-segments 8 and 9 tothe neutral position of open circuit. The length of the demagnetizing-segments 8 and 9 will be controlled by the speed of movement of the switch-arm and by the length of time required to break down the previouslyexisting magnetic condition of the clutch.

Thus far reference has been made only to the engagement and disengagement of lefthand clutch 1. Right-hand clutch 2 and its accessories are in duplicate of the parts at the left except that the demagnetizing-segments 12 and 13 pertaining to the right-hand clutch. are of greater length than those pertaining to the lefthand clutch, a matter merely incident to an assumption that the right-hand clutch differs from the left-hand one, so as to require greater length of time in having its magnetization broken down. Now giving consideration to a reversal of motion bythealternateactionofthetwoclutches, assume, as before, that switch-lever 3 is on working segments 6 and 7 and that clutch 1 is to be released and clutch 2 brought into action. The switch-lever moves from working segments 6 and 7over demagnetizingsegments 8 and 9, thus promptly releasing clutch 1. The switch-lever then passes the neutral and goes idly over segments 12 and 13idly because the circuit involving those segments is open at contact-plate 24and takes position on working segments 10 and 11, thus putting current through connections 42, 43, 44, and 45 to clutch 2, causing that clutch to become energized and engaged. The shunting of current through connections 46 and 47 energizes solenoid 20 and draws in its core 21 and swings supplemental lever 22 to closing position upon contact-plates 24 and 25, thus causing demagnetizing-segments 12 and 13, pertaining to the right-hand clutch, to become terminals of an open circuit leading to clutch 2 in a direction the reverse of that brought about by working segments 10 and 11. When clutch 2 is to be released, then switch-lever 3 moves from working segments 10 and 11 over demagnetizing-segments 12and 13, resulting in the prompt release of clutch 2, the switch-lever proceeding on to position on working segments 6 and 7 and again bringing about the engagement of clutch 1. The two clutches may thus be alternately energized and engaged with the utmost promptne'ss. The circuit connections may of course be variously arranged without departure from the principle involved in the exemplifying system of connections.

,Figs. 3, 4, and 5 illustrate a practical embodiment of this switch system adapted to a metal-planing machine employing electromagnetic clutches, and this construction will now be described, it being premised that Fig. 3 shows switch-lever 3 as in position to put current to workin segments 6 and 7, heretofore assumed as pertaining to clutch 1.

.Referring to Figs 3, 4, and 5, 51 indicates the casing, seated to inclose portions of the mechanism and to be secured against the machine with which it is to cooperate; 52, a nonconducting slab secured against the face of this casing; 53, the spindle of switch-lever 3, supported by the slab and casing; 54, a pinion on the spindle; 55, a reciprocating rack engaging the pinion; 56, insulating-segments closing the gap between the demagnetizingsegments at the neutral, so as to produce a fair surface for the travel of brushes 14 and 15 past the neutral; 57, similar insulatingsegments at the gaps between the contactplates of the supplemental switch, which contact-plates, along with all the supplementalswitch mechanism, is mounted on the back of the slab; 58, housngs securied to the back of the slab and supporting the solenoids and forming the jackets and tubular cores thereof; 59, a stop-plug in the outer end of each solenoid to limit the reciprocation of the cores, and 60 binding-posts for the connections between the apparatus and the extraneous devices, the mains and the connections from the clutches being conveniently brought to these binding-posts for appropriate connection with the parts of the controlling apparatus.

The reciprocation of rack 55 serves in sweeping switch-lever 3 through its proper IIO arcs of travel. The brushes carried by the switch-levers are of ordinary spring-pressed construction and in switch-lever 3 insulated from each other and from the metal of the lever by being mounted in insulating-blocks carried by the lever.

Turning to Fig. 2, 61 indicates a portion of the bedof a metal-planing machine; 62, a portion of the table; 63, the controlling-switch mechanism heretofore described considered as a whole, the same being secured against the side of the bed; 64:, the usual reversingtumbler of the planer; 65, a link connecting the tumbler with rack 55, which actuates switch-lever 3; 66, the backing-dog on the planer-table, acting, as usual, to reverse the motion of the table at the end of the cutting stroke and install the backing motion, and 67 the cutting-dog, serving to reverse the backing motion and install the cutting motion of the table.

It will be observed that the dogsare stepped, so that the motion they impart to the tumbler is produced in two stages, a dog attacking the tumbler and moving it through a portion of its arc of travel and then permitting it to dwell and later have its motion completed by the action of the second step of the dog. The result of this stepping of the dogs is that the brushes of the switch-lever are allowed to dwell for a period upon the demagnetizingsegments. Where my controlling system is employed in connection with machinery under such conditions of motion that sufficient time for demagnetization of the clutches can be obtained while the switch-lever is sweeping regularly through its arc of motion, the dwell resulting from the stepping of the dogs will not be called for and need not be provided for,'and, on the other hand, in cases where the switch-lever may advance by stages, so so as to produce a dwell upon the demagnetizing-segments, no special attention need be given to the length or variation of length in the demagnetizing-segments.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a controlling-switch system, the com-' bination, substantially as set forth, of an electromagnet,an energizing-circuit therefor, a switch controlling said circuit through the electromagnet and serving in its movement from position of closure to reverse the direction of circuit momentarily and then open the circuit, and means for automatically actuating the switch.

2. In a controlling-switch system, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a first electromagnet,a second electromagnet, mains for energizing the electromagnets in alternation, a circuit-controlling switch arranged to close the energizing-circuit through the first electromagnet and, by its movement from position of such closure, to reverse momentaril y the direction of current of the first electromagnet and then open the energizing-circuit and then close the circuit through the second electromagnet, and means for automatically actuating the switch.

3. In a controlling-switch system, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a first electromagnet,a second electromagnet, mains for energizing the electromagnets in alternation, working contacts connected with the first electromagnet, demagnetizing-contactsconnected with the first electromagnet in reverse, working contacts connected with the first electromagnet, demagnetizing-contactsv connected with the first electromagnet in reverse, working contacts connected with the second electromagnet, demagnetizingcontacts connected with the second electromagnet in reverse, a switch carrying terminals of the mains and adapted to present them to said contacts, and a supplemental switch serving to put current to the two sets of demagnetizing-contacts in alternation.

5. In a controlling-switch system, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a first electromagnet, a secondelectromagnet, mains for energizing the electromagnets in alternation, working contacts connected .withthe first electromagnet, demagnetizing-contacts connected with the first electromagnet in reverse, working contacts connected with the second electromagnet, demagnetizingcontacts connected with the second electromagnet in reverse, a switch carrying terminals of the mains and adapted to present them to said contacts, a supplemental switch serving to put current to the two sets of demagnetizing-contacts in alternation, a first solenoid connected with the first set of working contacts, a second solenoid connected with the second set of working contacts, and cores for said solenoids connected with said supplemental switch.

6. In a controlling-switch system, the combination, substantially as set forth, of two electromagnets,two pairs of working contacts, two pairs of demagnetizing-segments,a switch connecting said electromagnets in alternation and momentarily reversing the direction of current through each magnet, a pair of solenoids, a pair of contact-plates for each pair of demagnetizing-contacts, a supplemenk tal switch arranged to close upon either pair of contact-plates, and cores for the solenoids connected with said supplemental switch.

7. In a controlling-switch system, the combination, substantially as set forth, of a series of contacts, a switch cooperating therewith, a pinion connected with the switch, a reciprocating rack engaging the pinion, a reciproeating part, as a planer-table, stepped dogs carried thereby, and a tumbler connected with said rack and adapted to be moved in stages by said dogs.

8. A controlling-switch system operating to close a circuit through two electromagnet-s in alternation and momentarily to reverse the direction of current through each electromagnet as it is deenergized, and means for automatically actuating the switch.

9. The combination of a series of contacts, a switch cooperating therewith, a reciprocating part, as a planer-table, a stepped dog carried thereby, a tumbler adapted to be moved in stages by said dog and connecting means ADOLPH L. DE LEEUW.

Witnesses:

E1) J. BAECHLE, ELMER R. SHIPLEY. 

